Nature's Healing Moments

Last night on September 14, 2026, a waxing crescent moon glowed brightly in the darkness of Northern Virginia's night. It created a vivid picture, standing silently at the close of day. With its light, it shared a  moment and a message to cherish nature's awesomeness.                                           (Photo from the internet)

The day before, my son sent me an interesting pre-autumn photo of morning's dawn. With scattered leaves on the ground and beauty in the sky, another moment touched me.

Based on the Gaither song, "We Have This Moment", sent to me by writer, blogger, educator, Kim Johnson, I created a poem on moments in life.

I have this moment 

to pause, reflect upon,

hold in my hands,

let slip away like sand

yet cherish its time -

the past may pass away 

the future may not be 

but nature's healing moments 

hold on today for me           draft @CVarsalona, 2026 

As we transition into a new season, remember summer moments that brought joy. Hold on to your thoughts and breathe in the healing power of autumn days about to come.

A meeting place for a world of reflective writers. Click here.

Note: I am hosting Poetry Friday at my blog this Friday. If you are interested, please join our poetic community. 

When a Photo Wants to Be a Poem

Thank you, Margaret Simon for today's This Photo Wants to Be a Poem, and the quote from Asclepius, "Help me shed the skin of grief and put on the armor of hope."

I was inspired by the Healer title on the oracle card. I decided to dive into the what and why of a snake icon. I found the "symbol, the Rod of Ascelepius, has been associated with health care since the 5th Century BC." (National Center of Medicine) With thoughts of healing, I am ready to revive my mind, body, and spirit by nurturing myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Margaret, the following golden hinge poem slid from my thoughts and onto this page. I read and reread my words until I realized that my poem is a prayer from my heart to God.

Help me shed the skin of grief.

Me, finding my way,
sheds tears of sorrow.
The weight of loss is heavy. My
skin shivers in darkened moments
of unresolved sadness.

Grief flows, slides away, returns, so I pray,

and put on the armor of hope.

Put it near my heart, Lord.

On each day boost 

the faith within. Add your 

armor of strength, 

of perseverance, and enduring

hope to revive my being and my spirit.

draft, CVarsalona, 2026

Nature as a Healer

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike." -John Muir

When I read this quote in one of Carol Labuzzetta's blogs, I quicky recorded it in my digital journal. I knew that the family would feel the restorative power of nature in another week. We will travel to Cape May and the South Shore of Long Island, NY to celebrate the life of my husband, as per his request. Click here to read my recent Slice of Life. 

Being in nature for nine days brings a smile. There will be time to pause and relax, remembering the summers of our lives basking in sunkissed sands and my husband's stories of his early life when he romped in the surf with his friends. I also remember our summer days when our children were young. We enjoyed the warming sun's rays, the coolness of the ocean's waters spraying our bodies, and the many walks on the boardwalk. Little did we know back then that our family's life would change radically as my husband's days on earth quickly faded.

I think back on John Muir's quote, knowing that soon nature will provide peace to my soul and healing to my emotions and body. The warmth of the sand, the beauty of the sea, and the calling of the gulls will bring me home to Richard's sacred place. 

He provided an intinerary for our celebration of life so we will honor his wishes. While he did not include Cape May in his plan, we will travel there first and remember our time together. Then, we will drive to Long Beach, Long Island to return to Jones Beach, Field 6. There we will send our fondest memories from the ocean waves to Richard's new home above. 

Join me as I let nature bring its restorative powers of healing to each member of my family. 

during summer days

nature nurtures bodies and souls

finds pathways to peace

on quiet walks warmed by sands

gifts of solace comfort life

you look downward

from heaven's golden seat

wishes of love float

 ©CVarsalona, summer of 2025, draft

digital art of a Long Island Beach

🌞

It's time to offer my thoughts about my husband's Celebration of Life at the shores of Cape May, NJ and Long Island, NY. My Floridian poet friend and book lover, Jan Annino, is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup. Her blog post, Resilience, is interesting and starts off with a photo of a manatee enjoying his time floating followed by questions for readers. "Do you need a pause? Do you yearn to just drift? Besides Jan's post, she introduces each poet/writer and the poetic goodness that they are sharing.

3 Words

In the dim light of the yoga studio, the gentle voice of the teacher opened the practice. The peaceful greeting set the tone. In the darkness three words fell upon my listening ears.

balance

gratitude

healing

Tonight after moderating #NYEDChat, I reflect on the three words heard in the yoga studio. With #NYEDChat's topic of "New Directions" fresh on my mind, these words take on a new meaning. 

Within the studio, balance was sought. My balance may have been a little off but the knowledge that practice strengthens purpose pushed me beyond my comfort zone. During #NYEDChat, we discussed the idea of moving beyond the zone of comfort to inspire and impact the lives of our students. With passion, educators can bring accord and balance to the classroom

During the yoga class, gratitude was in my heart as we lifted thoughts of thankfulness for another person in need. Similarly during the Twitter chat tonight, I felt a feeling of gratitude for the collegiality emanating from the group. Within the framework of communities, we stand together in thoughts and actions.

Healing was a word that needed to be heard in the studio. Despite the discord and dissonance of the outside world, the yoga studio became a quiet, peaceful haven-a refuge where healing floated on gentle wings. 

In our classrooms and school buildings, students seek a place where the balance of a cohesive community allows voices to rise. Gratitude flows in a culture of trust in which acts of collaboration and kindness lead to healing. 

Just three little words heard during an opening greeting provided a message that reverberated over several days. I was fortunate to take away those words knowing that words are powerful and must be chosen carefully to convey a positive effect on others. 

Today is Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers so I offer my words to the blogging community with thanks to the participants of #NYEDChat who inspired me to remember that words matter.